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FOR 

0, E. S. Chapters 




Copyright 1913, by 
Emma E. Farrier, P. G. M 

NEW JERSEY 



PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS 






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FLORAL DEGREE 



FOR 



0. E. S. Chapters 




Copyright 1913, by 
Emma E. Farrier, P. G. M. 

NEW JERSEY 



PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS 






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Obligation Hy mn 

(Tune: Just Before the Battle, Mother.) 

This may be sung as a solo while candidates are 
kneeling at the altar before repeating the obliga- 
tion. 

As you kneel before our altar 
Fix your thoughts on God alone, 
While you take the obligation, 
Bowing low before His throne. 

Be thou ever true and faithful 
To the pledge you take this night. 
Let the Eastern Star's bright radiance 
Shine with undiminished light. 



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DIRECTIONS 



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After signing the Membership Roll the Conduc- 
tress, with her candidates, returns to a position 
directly in front of the East, facing West. 

The officers then march to the West in the fol- 
lowing order: 



North Side 

Chaplain — lead ing 

Electa 

Martha 

Associate Conductress Esther 



South Side 

Marshal— leading 

Adah 

Ruth 



marching outside of the star, the lines crossing in 
the West, where the Associate Matron will hand 
each star point and the Associate Conductress the 
flowers appropriate to her station. Then officers 
come down on each side of Esther's chair, inside 
the star, crossing back of altar and forming a star 
around the altar, as per diagram on page 3, all 
facing in the same direction. 

The Worthy Matron coming from the East and 
the Associate Matron from the West after the 
others are in position. 

When the star is complete, the Worthy Matron 
steps forward, advances to a position in front of 
candidates and recites : 

Worthy Matron 

Sisters of the Eastern Star, 
For as such we greet you now — 
You have journeyed far to-night 
And have learned of Jephtha's vow ; 
Ruth, the gleaner, has unfolded 
All her constancy and trust, 
Esther, who would save her people, 
Dared to plead for what was just ; 
Martha's trustful faith has triumphed 
Over death and every fear, 
And Electa stands for charity 
And fervency, 'tis clear. 
So, these lessons inculcated, 
Our Associate will unfold 
The sweet story of the flowers 
That through ages has been told. 



Having finished she steps back behind the Asso- 
ciate Matron, who has moved forward as the 
Matron stepped out to recite. 

The Associate Matron then advances to candi- 
dates and recites: 

Associate Matron 

'Twas an ancient Jewish custom 

In the days of long ago 

For the women of Jerusalem 

At a certain hour to go 

Up to Herod's wondrous temple, 

And within the womens' court, 

To offer their oblations 

For the joys the day had wrought. 

And they brought rare fruits and flowers 

And they laid them on the shrine 

As a sacrifice most fitting 

For a Father most divine. 

So, in token of this custom, 

These officers of ours 

Will tell how they " Have seen his Star " 

In the heart of nature's flowers. 

The Matron steps forward to her original posi- 
tion on the outside of star and when the Associate 
Matron has finished she takes her place behind the 
Worthy Matron. 

Conductress then addresses the Associate Con- 
ductress. 



(The star, of course, revolving after the Conduc- 
tress addresses each point). 

Conductress 

Sister Associate, will you tell us 
What assurance you present 
That these flowers will accomplish 
That for which they have been sent ? 

The star makes a revolution, bringing the next 
point (Associate Conductress and Adah) into posi- 
tion, and they also recite their parts, in the same 
manner as Matron and Associate Matron have 
done. 

Associate Conductress. 

(Holding up Bouquet). 

These flowers bear the colors of our emblematic 
rays 

And they tell a wonderous story of gentle woman's 
ways; 

For God gave to each a message, ere he placed 
them 'neath the sod, 

And they speak to all receptive hearts in the lan- 
guage of their God. 

Conductress. 

You have spoken well, my sister, 
And the flowers will reply. 
Sister Adah, has the blue flower 
A message from on high ? 



Adah. 

I present this modest flower, with its tint of 

Heaven's blue 
As a token of Fidelity to all that's good and true. 
And may you, like faithful Adah, say with fast 

receding breath: 
"Even though my father slay me, I'll be faithful 

unto death." 

Conductress. 

Sister Ruth, What golden gleanings do you offer 
at this time 

To exemplify the lesson of Ruth's Constancy sub- 
lime? 

The next revolution of the star brings Ruth and 
Esther into position, where they recite. 

Ruth. 

I present this little flower, with its bright and gol- 
den hue, 

As a symbol of the Constancy with which God 
cares for you. 

And as Ruth, in olden stories, toiled to win her 
daily bread, 

So may industry and patience set their crown upon 
your head. 

Conductress. 

Proud Queen Esther, can you tell us, you who 

come from lands afar, 
What rare virtue has been hidden in the white 

point of our star? 



Esther. 

I bring this queenly flower,' with its crown of light 

and joy, 
As a symbol of the Purity that shone without alloy 
O'er the deeds of royal Esther as she pleaded for 

her race, 
And may unsefish loyalty in your life find a place. 

Conductress. 

Sister Martha, art thou mourning 
O'er thy brother's lowly tomb ? 
Or hast thou heard a message 
That has banished all death's gloom ? 

Star revolving again Martha and Electa recite. 

Martha. 

I have heard the silent message 

From the evergreens' great heart, 

Bidding all our sorrows vanish 

And our doubts and fears depart. 

And your mission, gentle sister, 

Is to choose the better part, 

And plant the flowers of Faith and Hope 

Within the human heart ; 

To point from earth to starry skies, 

Where all our sorrows cease, 

And tell how faithful spirits rise 

To everlasting peace. 

Conductress. 

Fair Electa, bring your flower, with its glowing 
crimson hue, 

And repeat to us the lesson it is whispering to you. 



Electa. 

I came through tribulations, 
Holding fast my Savior's cross— 
Held it fast 'gainst Roman soldiers, 
For it must not suffer loss. 
Let this be to you a token 
Of the love of God for man, 
Knowing that, though poor and lowly, 
We'er a part of His great plan. 
May you never stop or falter, 
Never feel yourself alone ; 
Just take up your cross and bear it, 
For He always guards His own. 

Conductress. 

Once from their homes in Eastern lands 

The Wise Men travelled far, 

Seeking the promised one of God, 

With Hope their guiding star. 

Through weary deserts, heat oppressed, 

Its bright light led them on; 

Past kingly palaces they pressed 

Until the day drew on. 

At last o'er Bethlehem it stood, 

Above the lowly inn 

Where lay earth's hope— Heaven's sacrifice- 

And there they worshipped Him. 

And on Judea's lonely plain 

On that fair Christmas morn, 

While wondering shepherds stood amazed, 

The Eastern Star was born. 



And our Associate's "eyes of faith" 
Have seen those rays afar, 
And she will bind these blossoms now, 
To represent that star. 

The star revolves until the Associate Conductress 
is again opposite the candidates. Having recited 
her part she returns to position. 

Associate Conductress. 

(Holding up each star point as she talks. ) 

Blue are these wonderful flowers, 

A token of God's silent love. 

They speak no word, but their message is heard 

Like whisperings from Heaven above. 

And this ray shines bright on you and me 

And we call it the " Star of Fidelity." 

And these yellow flowers are industry's offering, 

Scatter them broadcast wherever you go. 

The seeds of good deeds bring the flowers of bles- 
sing, 

And in the hereafter they'll blossom and grow. 

So, steadfastly shining, since time gave it birth, 

Fair " Constancy's Star " sheds its light o'er the 

earth. 

Oh, wondrous flower of white and gold, 
What love divine YOUR leaves enfold. 
What tender loving memories start 
Within the petals of your heart. 
We bring this pure white flower now, 
As a diadem for the queenly brow 

10 



Of that heroine whose light we see 
Born in the " Star of Purity." 

The evergreen's soft accents are whispering in my 

ear 
H He who was dead now liveth and we have naught 

to fear." 
The trusting heart goes singing along the shadowed 

way 
For at the end there shineth 
The " Star of Faith's " bright ray. 

Go forth, dear crimson flower, under God's cerulean 

sky, 
And thou canst find a lesson in whatever meets 

thine eye. 
All nature is a sermon, so that he who will may 

read, 
There is love for all who seek it and the Father 

knows our need, 
And so, a light, not born of earth,— direct from 

Heaven above, 
Sheds a bright light o'er all the world, 
Tis called the " Star of Love." 



(Presents bouquet.) 

And lo, a perfect star appears — 
An emblem of the good 
And glorious virtues 'shrined within 
The heart of Womanhood. 

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Conductress. 

Sister Marshal, can you add a word 
To those we have already heard ? 

The star revolves until the Marshal and Chaplain 
come into position and recite. 

Marshal. 

Within the garden of our hearts 

Are many blossoms growing. 

And as each day and year departs 

Fresh flowers we are sowing ; 

The fragrant crimson rose of love, 

Electa's best and fairest, 

And Esther's snow white offering 

Of Purity the rarest. 

And growing in Ruth's lowly way, 

The plant of Constancy, 

While Martha's fadeless evergreen 

The flower of Faith shall be, 

And Adah plants, with faithful hand, 

For all the world to see, 

A modest little violet 

That spells Fidelity. 

And now these virtues YOU may share— 

My sisters, give them room, 

And in the garden of your heart 

A hundred more will bloom. 

Now, let us bow in reverence, 

And with our Chaplain pray 

That God will bless our offerings 

In His most gracious way. 

14 



Chaplain raises hands in attitude of prayer. 

Chaplain. 

We come to Thee, oh Lord, in prayer, 

Amidst these lovely flowers, 

And ask that thou wilt tiuly bless 

These wayward hearts of ours. 

Help us to carry through our lives 

The lessons we have learned, 

And give us, Lord, the grace to bear 

The slight we have not earned. 

May we forgive the careless jest 

That makes our weakness plain, 

The hasty word that seems unfair, 

The needless touch of pain. 

And take us all at last, dear Lord, 

To dwell with Thee above, 

To bloom in endless glory 

In the gardens of thy love. 

At the conclusion of the Chaplain's work a hymn 
is sung, after which the Conductress says : 

Conductress 

Our floral star is now complete, and we will all 

repair 
To our sacred altar while our Patron offers prayer. 

Star revolves, Matron and Associate Matron 
leave the star first, marching down north side of 
room, then Associate Conductress and Adah, Ruth 

15 



APR 26 1913 



and Esther, Electa and Martha, Chaplain and Mar- 
shal, by twos to west of Esther's chair, then sepa- 
rate and take places around the altar, as provided 
for in Ritual, Secretary, Treasurer, Warder, Con- 
ductress and candidates joining the circle. 

Worthy Patron repeats Prayer. 

Our Father who art in Heaven, we ask Thy bles- 
sing upon all the ceremonies of this evening. May 
the lesson of the star and the flowers find an abid- 
ing place in the hearts of these, thy children, and 
bring forth good works to glorify thy name. Help 
us to exemplify in our lives the virtues of Faith, 
Hope and Charity, but above all Charity. For 
Faith is lost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but 
Charity extends beyond the grave and through the 
boundless realms of Eternity. Hear our prayer, 
oh Lord, and Thine shall be the honor and the 
glory forever. Amen ! 

After singing " Blest be the Tie That Binds " or 
other appropriate hymn, the officers march in 
"Right and Left" all the way around the circle, the 
Matron and Patron returning to the East, and the 
Conductress with Candidates resuming her station 
in front of the East, while the officers return to 
their various stations. 



16 



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